there's always a lighthouse. there's always a beach party.

[wheremst]

[ Welcome to... a very nice beach, actually! It's very pleasant here. Carmen has set up a couple bonfires, there's some barbecues with meat to cook... and a lot of beach to hang out on! ]

Welcome to California's Pigeon Point Light Station State Park! Between Santa Cruz and San Francisco, just south of Pescadero, this lighthouse gets it's name from the Carrier Pigeon, a ship that wrecked here in 1853! ... Sorry, old habit. Go party. We have the whole place to ourselves. Most everyone here's been through something like this, or knows someone who has. And... the vending machine's bringing in some friends of yours, too.

[ It's a warm late summer night - not too hot for bonfires, but not too chilly that you need to stick by them to survive.

You've made it to the end. There are fellow survivors to meet and commiserate with, friends to meet or catch up with, and... it's over. For those of you returning, it's been about a year since the end of Round 2, and Carmen's gotten the word out to as many people as she can between trying to help this round and tracking down Round 0. If you'd like to play a hostage from the first motive, just know that they will remember it, but it's up to the player in the main round if time has passed since then or not so... it may have been a day or two ago or it may have been months! And hell with it, if you want to play a Round 0 character you suggested back in r1, come talk to us. Why not?

EDIT: Asher has gone to the trouble of making a toplevel directory for anyone intimidated by the number of pages!

Enjoy the last log of Unknown Seas! You've earned it. Love meme will come later tonight in the ooc comm. ]

Comments

[visiblepattern]

[It's over.

Forrest feels no shame in just making his way up toward one of the bonfires and curling up as close as he can get to it without risking catching the cape on fire; that cape took him seven weeks to make, and he's not going to screw it up now. He'll socialize later; right now, he just wants to be in one location and not have to worry about presenting a certain way or doing anything specific in front of anyone. Besides, the bonfire is nice, and it's warm, and even if the night isn't particularly cold he can feel the heat hitting in a way that it just hasn't for the past several weeks.

After a while, though, he makes his way over toward the lighthouse, toward the higher ground away from the group; he's got Brynhildr in his hands, and as he opens it he can feel it reacting to his touch, this time.

And when he focuses, there's...well, uh, there's probably going to be a bit of an alarming sound as a small set of trees just rips out of the ground, only to sink back in again after a long, disturbing moment. And for the first time all day, Forrest finally lets himself look so goddamn proud of himself.]

[pairtner]

[Rossiu was very kind and brought back all the memories to her. When she remembered, she was so full of guilt and knew she had to apologize around.

And Forrest was...kind of procrastinated on that regard, mostly because, although she doesn't remember the trial, she does remember everything else, every conversation and how Forrest felt every time. She knows if there's someone who would take her actions badly, it was him.

But can't just not do this, and she knows it, so in the end...]

...Forrest.

[There she is, with him at the bonfire. For a moment she's quiet, until...]

Rossiu brought my memories back. I had made a backup containing everything, and now I have parsed everything...including my last week 'alive'.

I wanted to officially apologize for what I did. I assume I attempted to say something like that once I was caught, but that would never be enough. Which is why I wanted to apologize now. I'm sorry for having placed you all in any danger, and for...going against a lot of what we talked, and for any heartache I may have caused.

[Perhaps it was for the better she didn't remember right away in the graveyard. She'd have felt so guilty about committing murder she'd have isolated herself for a long while. Now she can recall it all, and is going to carry that guilt for the rest of her existence because she sure will refuse to let go of her own sins, yeah.

So part of atoning for them is apologizing to everyone, especially those she's sure would have felt the most wronged by them. That's what logically must happen, but that sure doesn't make it any easier]

[visiblepattern]

[Oh no, Aiba...]

I... I really appreciate that you've said all of this, Aiba. It did cause a lot of heartbreak; I was really mad at you for a long time.

But after a while, I just wanted you back. I missed you a lot; you were really important to me.

I meant what I said back in there; I still want to be friends with you. You still mean a lot. So I don't want that to end anytime soon.

[pairtner]

...when I met Misfire in the graveyard, he said I was missed. At the time I had found that hard to believe -- that I had mingled with people enough for them to not only know so much about me, but also enough to be missed.

Even now, I'm finding hard to believe I'm...someone who's going to be remembered, and not only because of the novelty of a fake eyeball moving and talking.

[It made her happy to know she was missed, in a bittersweet way]

I would have been surprised if you hadn't been mad. I know war is going to be difficult at home, which is why I wanted to offer that, if at any point you or anyone you know wish for a safe refuge, my doors are open. The world would be more advanced than you're used to, but it's generally safe.

[Aiba sure would pull as many strings as possible to give some pretty good accomodations to anyone in Round 3 if they ever visited her world, that's for sure.

Still, it's pretty obvious Aiba offers that as part of reparations. While she absolutely means it, it's as if she feels a mere apology isn't enough, and therefore something else needs to be done]

[visiblepattern]

I would like to visit you sometime, of course, but it would mainly be to see you. I would like to see what sort of world you come from - it must be incredible, if it can make people like you. And I'd like to meet your, ah...friend? Date. If possible.

[...]

Oh - did your memory files still have that dress on it? I know you used it on your projections before.

[pairtner]

I would like that. Once I inform him of everything that happened, he'll wonder what kind of people knew about me. He probably will invite you to his favorite bar to talk while he gets so drunk I have to call someone to get him home.

[Because of course, she's usually the one taking care of him, like a beleaguered assistant. Hah, but nah, Date instead probably would take Forrest to his favorite restaurant, given his age.

At the mention of the dress, Aiba looks down at the sand. She liked that dress so much...and it probably got crushed and discarded during her execution. Damn it...]

...I do. I still have it. I didn't think it'd be right to use it until I had talked to you, though...

[Because part of her felt like it was undeserved to wear something Forrest had made for her before making amends with him]

[visiblepattern]

Well, you can wear it whenever you want. And between this time and the next time that I see you, I'll make you another one. Like I said, I like making things like that for my friends.

[axefaire]

[Forrest is definitely going to hear his mom before he sees her, both because Charlotte tends to be loud and because she's definitely yelling.]

Outta my way! Where is he? Where's my boy!?

[Oh dear. Well, thankfully she doesn't swing that giant axe of hers at anyone because she's able to locate Forrest quickly enough, and then she's rushing over, landing in the sand next to him, dropping that axe, and throwing her arms around her son in the tightest hug imaginable. Considering her strength stat, it's very tight.]

Forrest! I was so worried about you!

[visiblepattern]

[Wh- ]

Mother...?

[And he's halfway to standing up when she's suddenly in the sand next to him and over he goes back down into the sand again. Piff.

Not that he cares because he is giving his mom such a tight hug, holy shit.]

Mother, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to worry you, I just-

[Aaaaaaand nope there are the tears oh my god- ]

I've missed you so much...!

[axefaire]

Oh Forrest, no! No! I'm not blaming you, honey, not at all!

[Yeah, don't worry, you aren't the only one crying, just. Give her a second. Dear gods.]

I've missed you too, sweetie. So, so much.

[visiblepattern]

[we're all crying here, it's okay- ]

Did they tell you what happened, or... I know it's complicated to explain, but I can try if you didn't get everything...

[...he sort of suspects that you bullied carmen with an axe until she told you everything that happened here but]

[axefaire]

I got some of the information, but I'd like to hear it from you.

[And then, still entirely serious:] If there's anyone you need me to kill, just say the word. I'll gladly dispose of anyone who dared hurt my precious son.

[CHARLOTTE NO????]

[visiblepattern]

No, I, ah, I...

[...]

I killed someone. While I was in there. It was, um... [He looks around. Eventually points out Nandor.] Him. With a mace.

And then I escaped being executed for it using a battleaxe against some mechanical soldiers.

[...he suspects he knows exactly how she is going to take this.]

lighthouse

[timegazer]

[Adaman has mostly been mingling among the surprisingly incredible masses--there's so many people to meet, so many to greet and get to know, and Adaman feels like he's seeing a whole new world through them. It's beautiful, almost distracting, really.

But he does have people to seek out, and Forrest is one of them--though, he manages to come across Forrest when he's up at the lighthouse, and he's about to greet him when he feels the ground shake nearby and--

Holy shit.]

Woah!

[...YEAH, ADAMAN AND HIS SMALL GAGGLE OF VEES ARE DEFINITELY LEFT SHOCKED AT THAT. Jolteon seems to cheer, along with the little ones, but the other two are startled--Adaman himself looks over to Forrest, though, grinning easily up at him.]

Most impressive, my friend! This is what you're capable of?!

[HE SOUNDS SO AWED?]

[visiblepattern]

[Heeeeee is very proud of himself and he did not plan on having an audience, whoops. That said, it's a little loud and a little destructive so he can see where an audience would arise; he wasn't quite expecting the vees but- ....oh no wait holy shit there are vees, they're so cute!!

...ANYWAY, FOCUS...]

Ah... Yes, or it will be once I'm trained properly. I can't do that all the time just yet, I'm just starting out, but that's what I can do so far!

[Yaaaaaaay.]

Where did you get all your little friends?

[timegazer]

[THERE ARE SO MANY BOUNCY LIL BROWN PUFFBALLS JUST GOING OFF FOR THIS DISPLAY and one decidedly yellow, spiky puffball doing the same but like. Listen. It was massively cool, you deserved this, boy!!]

Well, it's certainly quite the feat! I certainly wouldn't want to mess with you with power like that in your hands--why, our Lady of the Ridge might flush with envy once she sees your prowess!

[He chuckles, though, grinning bright.]

Carmen allowed me the chance to bring them all from home! Rather quickly, I might add--why, it was as if barely any time passed at all! Truly a feat that I imagined only Almighty Sinnoh could pull off!

[But, ah--]

Quite the adorable ones, wouldn't you agree? They're all so adorable and spunky at this age!

[visiblepattern]

[THE FLUFFIEST MOSH PIT...]

I have to wonder if I can still do things like that, where you're from. Since I can still do it here, I suppose there's a chance...

[Hmmm.]

Either way, I'm glad to have been able to put on a show for your friends! They are very adorable - do you think that when I go back with you, I'll be able to make friends like this as well?

[timegazer]

I do not see why Almighty Sinnoh would not allow for such a thing! It is certainly a feat that some of the most powerful Pokémon are capable of, though I haven't met any humans capable of such things. We will have to see once we get there!

[The last question, though--that gets Adaman to chuckle, if only because of why the Eevees are here, but--]

Of course you will! Why, I imagine that someone with such an open and kind heart like yourself will be able to make friends with any Pokémon you wish! So long as you grant them the kindness and respect they are due, they will open up in time--that is what I have learned about them, in my time growing with them.

[He'll look up, though, grinning a bit more.]

Tell me, would you mind if we joined you up there for a spell? I think they would like to meet the magical mastermind behind such a magnificent show, if you are amendable!

[prompocalypse]

[Penelope lets out a low whistle as she watches him uproot the trees. That's a lot of power. She's not shocked at the display, of course, she's from a school full of prodigies far younger than Forrest capable of doing that and more, but she's definitely impressed.]

Impressive display of power. Was that you or the book or a mix of both? [She smiles. She's been keeping to herself all evening, but she looks over at Forrest and at the dress he's wearing, and it's... touching, a little. The effort put into it is deeply impressive besides that, and it makes her regret that she never did get Forrest to make her any clothing...]

I like your dress. By the way.

[visiblepattern]

I hoped you might.

[Like the dress, that is. He did put in effort to make sure everyone was represented, and no one was forgotten; he certainly wasn't going to leave Penelope out of that, and he's sort of glad he got to do so in such a major way.]

As for the magic, it's a mix of both - the book helps us channel. It's no different to staffs or staves in that regard.

[crocodiline]

[ At some point, early on, Cipher sort of. Walks up to him, a pair of scissors in hand. ]

Well, as promised.

[visiblepattern]

[Oh! He'll get up as she approaches, but he doesn't actually seem bothered by her presence; he'll hold a hand out for the scissors, and then just- ]

I promise I won't do anything horrible to it. Just...sit down and I can get started.

[howveryglib]

[You know... he's just going to watch that magical display, because holy shit? There's a part of him that's still kind of unnerved by watching such powerful magic, but eh. He knows who's casting it. It's fine!]

...I suppose this will sound like an odd question, but how does it feel to use magic like that?

[visiblepattern]

It's a little frightening, to be honest.

[He sounds entirely straightforward about that much.]

You really feel the power coursing through you, and it feels really good, but you become aware of how much power it is, if that makes sense. You know how much things can go wrong, and how high the stakes can be if it does.

That isn't to say it doesn't feel wonderful, because it does. But I'm not fully trained yet, so some of the fear is still there.

[howveryglib]

...I think I understand the spirit of it, if not necessarily the actual feeling. I have had that sort of feeling through more indirect means.

...

In any case, I believe you will get there someday.